Restore the funding

A four-lane Route 219 is a dream that most people want for Somerset County, but no one seems to have the money to make it happen.

A year ago, plans were in place for the next section of the highway from Somerset to Meyersdale, however that funding may now be in jeopardy.

The state has removed $9 million from the Southern Alleghenies Transportation Improvement Program for the project.

The loss of the matching funds not only jeopardizes $45.8 million in federal funds for the initial phase of the project, but it could put the completion of Route 219 in danger.

A four-lane Route 219 would have many economic benefits to our region as a north-south corridor that crosses over the east-west Turnpike in the heart of Somerset.

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The county is asking residents to stand as one voice to save Route 219. They ask that everyone write, telephone or e-mail Gov. Edward Rendell and state Transportation Secretary Allen Biehler and let them know how important the project is to the county.

A public meeting will be held at 2 p.m. Friday in the Somerset County office building beside the courthouse with county, state and federal officials to see what could be done.

In addition to those types of communications, we would like to see an effort organized for a Somerset County Rally in Harrisburg to support Route 219. Several buses could be used to transport people to the nation’s capital for the 2-hour drive.

In 1997, about 270 people went to Washington, D.C. to lobby for continued federal funding. This was a big factor in the continued federal effort.

Route 219 has been in the works for more than 50 years and we continue to see broken promises of support from legistlators because of a lack of funding. It’s time to complete this important highway.

The following are addresses to voice your support for 219. We urge you to take a few minutes to help save this funding.